Combination-lock wheel



Oct. 21, 1958 J. H. SREB 2,856,765

COMBINATION-LOCK WHEEL Filed Oct. 20, 1955 \\vu 'IIIIIIIIIIII INVENTOR.

JULES H. SE55 HTTOENE Y COMBINATION-LOCK WHEEL Jules H. Sreb, Washington, D. C. Application October 20, 1955, Serial No. 541,739

3 Claims. (Cl. 70-333) My invention relates to combination-lock wheels and in particular to those wheels which are proof against investigation and/ or violation by external means.

The presently known manipulation proof combination locks were devised to prevent surreptitious entry into the cases or containers on which these locks are used. The combinations of these locks cannot be found by the usual aural or touch detection methods which are successful with the older style combination locks. This is due to the fact that the fence of a manipulation proof lock is not in contact with the gates of the lock wheels except when the correct combination has been set and the engaging mechanism operated. Normally, when the combination dial of a manipulation proof lock is turned, the wheels move freely and do not rub against the fence.

Various electromagnetic radiation techniques, utilizing X-rays, penetrative gamma rays of some radioactive isotopes and like radiations, have been developed. These newer methods have made it possible to detect the positions of the wheel gates of manipulation prooflocks and are used to examine encased locks and determine the combinationwithout in any way damaging the lock or its mechanism. It is then possible to open the lock without leaving any trace or evidence that an entry has been made.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of my invention to provide a Wheel for combination locks whose gate position cannot be determined by surreptitious means.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a wheel for combination locks wherein there are one or more false gates or gate simulators properly distributed around the wheel whose presence obscure the location of the true gate when under the examination of external detecting devices.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same.

Figure l is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of my invention illustrating a gate masking device and a plurality of false gates,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the gate masking device of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of the gate masking device of Figure 1 shown in the operated position,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of'the gate masking device of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a side elevation, partly broken away and partly in section, of a further embodiment of gate masking device and false gate of my invention,

Figure 7 is a side elevation, partly broken away and partly in section, of a still further embodiment of gate masking device and false gate of my invention, and

a United States Patent O Figure 8 is a plan view of the gate masking device of Figure 7.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration, are shown several embodiments of my invention, the numeral designates the. wheel, generally. When the correct combination has been set, fence 21 depresses the gate masking device, designated generally by 22, thereby permitting the lock to be opened. Usually there is more than one wheel in a combination lock and all the gates must be in alignment with each other under the fence in order for the lock to be opened. Wheel 20 is provided with a shoulder 23 on which lip 27, a part of 22, rests when the device is in the closed position. 22 is mounted on post 24 by means of pin 25 which fits in opening 25a. Spring 26 serves to keep 22 in the closed position except when fence 21 presses 22 against the pressure of 26. Several cavities 28 are cut in wheel 20 so that there is a substantially uniform symmetric presentation under surreptitious examination by radiation detecting methods. Serrated wheel 29 is used in conjunction with the combination resetting mechanism (not shown).

By way of example and without in any way limiting the scope of my invention, following is a description of the operation of a three wheel combination lock utilizing the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 1 through 5:

The lock combination is operated by the dial or similar device (not shown) so that the three gates are in alignment with fence 21. Fence 21 is then pushed against gate masking devices 22 utilizing the usual mechanisms (not shown) or an automatic internal fence operating mechanism (not shown) such that each device 22 assumes the position illustrated in Figure 4. The lock may then be opened in the usual manner. More or less than three wheels may be employed in locks utilizing my invention depending only upon the application in which the lock is used. The plurality of wheels of the type of my invention still further increases the difliculty of violation by the presently known penetrative ray techniques. Cavities 28 are fabricated in wheel 20 so that the material removed corresponds to the amount of open space at the true gate in both physical dimensions and characteristics when the gate masking device is in the unoperated position. These false gates make it much more difficult to locate the true gate by surreptitious radiation detection methods. Serrated wheel 29 is used when it is necessary to reset the combination of the lock and is shown only for the purpose of illus-- tration. Other combination resetting mechanisms may also be used in conjunction with wheels of my invention.

In the operated position shown in Figure 4, spring 26 is compressed by the top of 22 and when the pressure of fence 21 is removed from 22 the action of spring 26 causes 22 to assume the'position illustrated in Figure 1. Spring 26 is mounted on pin 25 which also serves as the pivot for 22, 25 being inserted in pivot opening 25a of 22. Post 24, in which pin 25 is contained, is aflixed to wheel 20. 22 is kept from being pushed beyond the normally closed position because of the fit between lip 27 and shoulder 23; 27 and 23 cooperate with 26 to maintain the masking position of 22. 24 and 20 may also be fabricated from a single piece of material.

In the embodiment of Figure 6, gate masking device 31 comprises block 37 into which is inserted rod 36. 36 is fixedly attached to 37 and spring 35 is wound around rod 36. Spring 35 is attached to shoulder 37:: of 37 and to shoulder 38a of wheel 30. When the fence (not shown) pushes against 37, spring 35 is compressed and rod 36 is pushed in so as to occupy cavity 38 and 37 is pushed in so as to occupy cavity 34. The depths of 3 38and 3'4 serve to limit the amount of travel of 37. 37 is kept from being pushed beyond the normally closed position because of the fit between shoulders 33 and lips 32 which in cooperation with 35 serve to maintain 31 in its masking position. Cavities 39', to a sufiicient number, are spaced around the circumference of wheel 30 so as to mask the location ofthe true gate when the lock is examined by surreptitious methods. The movem'ent'of the fence against 31 and the opening of the lock is accomplished by any of the usual methods. One or more wheels 30 may be employed in a lock depending only upon the application in which the lock is to be used.

In the embodiment of Figures 7 and 8, gate masking device 41 comprises block 47whi'ch is recessed'to receive spring '45. 45 is fixedly attached to 47 at one end and its other end is affixed to rod 46. 46 is fixedly attached to wheel 40. When the fence (not shown) pushes against 47, spring 45 is compressed and'47 occupies cavity 44. The depth of 44 serves to limit the amount of travel of 47'. 47 is kept in alignment because it is shaped to ride in guides 48 and is kept from being pushed beyond the normally closed position because of the fit between shoulders 43 and lips 42 which in cooperation with 45 serve to maintain 41 in its masking position. There are a sufficient number of cavities 49 spaced around the circumference of wheel 40 so as to mask the location of the true gate when the lock is examined by surreptitious methods. The movement of the fence against 41 and the opening of the lock is accomplished by any desired method. One or more wheels 40 may be employed in a lock depending only upon the application in which the lock is to be used.

It is within the contemplation of my invention to produce wheels with gate masking devices in which no additional cavities have been made whenever it is believed that sufiicient masking of'the gate has been attained without their employment. My invention also contemplates the use of wheels with smooth, serrated or ridged outer circumferences in conjunction with or without the use of: noise makers or other aural masking methods. The cavities provided around the circumference of the wheels of my invention are shaped, formed and fabricated so that when examined by external radiation detection methods, the cavities and the true gate are indistinguishable. False springs and similar devices may be provided as a part of these cavities in order to increase the deception.

While I have described my invention by means of specific examples and in specific embodiments, I do not wish to be limited thereto, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A lock wheel having a gate formed therein, a movable masking device within said gate, a spring urging said masking device toward the periphery of said wheel to close said gate, and means for stopping said masking device from being urged beyond the periphery of said gate, said masking device being characterized by a top portion which is substantially of the same configuration as the periphery of said wheel and substantially parallel side portions in spaced relationship and extending from said top portion forming an opening within said top and side portions, said masking device being pivotally mounted within said opening on a post afiixed to said wheel, material having been removed from said wheel at spaced intervals around the periphery thereof forming cavities therein, said cavities being of the same shape and dimensions as said opening formed in said masking device such that the transmission characteristics of said cavities to penetrative radiation are the same as those of said masking; device when said device is'in its closed position.

2. A-lock wheel as described in claim 1 wherein said means for stopping said masking device from being urged beyond the periphery of said gate comprises a lip on said top portion of said" masking device cooperating with a shoulder adjacent the periphery of said wheel.

3. A look 'WhCEl' as described in claim 1 wherein said masking d'evice-is'pivotally mountedto said post on a pin carried thereby and said spring is wound about said pin within the opening in said masking device, one end of said spring being affixed to said wheel, the other end of" saidspring being incontact with the underside of'said top portion of said masking device.

ReferencesCited in the file of this patent- UNITED STATES PATENTS 

